Category Archives: Informational Links

We are holding our first Steering Committee Meeting since the 2018 DPH State Convention. This meeting will be largely introductory and logistics related. Our Steering Committee meetings have been and will continue to be open to others to join and listen in. This meeting will be limited in scope to the business of the Steering Committee outlined in the agenda below.

We will begin with a brief introduction to the Zoom Video Conferencing App. It has consistently been rated the best app for remote meetings with features that conveniently allow for orderly and efficient communication. Once everyone on the call has a cursory understanding of the app, we will move into the rest of the agenda. We will be using this technology for General Membership meetings as well in order to further our goal to be as inclusive as possible, while still making progress on our goals for the term.

We all live within the Environment and it should and could be everyone’s main concern. I look forward to welcoming all voices and to many productive meetings over the next two years.

Today’s article is a fair summary of the issue. This imperfect bill, because it’s a compromise, should still become law. We need legislation to hold the State and DLNR accountable for allowing the aquarium trade to flourish unencumbered. They must devise a plan that is sustainable. Unlimited collection of our reef marine life is certainly not sustainable!!

Please email Brandon Asuka at the Governors Office: Brandon.T.Asuka@hawaii.gov Let him know how you feel about SB1240.

The potential veto of SB1240, a bill to protect Hawai`i reef wildlife, comes at a perfectly ironic time, as the Hokuleʻa basks in accomplishment, bringing it’s message of hope and Mālama Honua home. Meanwhile, the current Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Suzanne Case, claims that it is “premature to consider a ban before more studies are done.” Why should anyone listen to the very agency that has failed for decades to evaluate the environmental effects, neglected to collect data or use precaution when allowing commercial aquarium trade and trafficking of reef wildlife in Hawaiʻi.

Now is not the time to wait and see but the time to leap to action in the hopes of protecting local Reefs from further degradation. Many Senators and Representatives have evaluated this measure and decided that it is sound. Many passionate organizations and individuals have labored to ensure that this becomes law now. We all need to stand together and let our Governor know that we support this law so he can say no to the forces that are asking for a VETO. Contact Governor Ige today!! Go to the website: governor.hawaii.gov (select the contact tab & select comment on legislation SB1240) Or call : (808) 586-0034.

For those of you who are not yet aware the Public Land Development Corporation is an agency mandated to maximize economic development projects on State Land. Their projects are exempt from any permitting or zoning regulations. This is among the worst legislation ever passed by the State.

Senator Thielen just announced that SB707 will be amended to make it a clean repeal bill. We need to support this legislation provided promises are kept.

The Environment Caucus steering committee has had several very interesting conversations about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and frankly they have changed my mind on the unknown dangers of GMOs.

The Solar Industry vs. HECO – Not So Hostile
Flickr: US Army Environmental Command

It wasn’t a boxing match. But representatives from Hawaiian Electric Co. and the solar industry presented opposing visions of Hawaii’s clean energy future Monday at a meeting sponsored by the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

NOMINATIONS FOR COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACCEPTED UNTIL APRIL 6, 2011

HONOLULU — The Commission on Water Resource Management is extending its nomination period until Wednesday, April 6, 2011. The original application period (October 17 – November 22, 2010) ended before Governor Neil Abercrombie took office.

After being sworn in, Governor Abercrombie actively encouraged members of the public to come forward and serve on public boards and commissions. Subsequently, the Governor’s office received a number of recommendations for the Commission.

To provide the broadest range of potential candidates in the Abercrombie Administration, the Commission is extending the time to receive nominations.

The Governor’s selection will be subject to confirmation by the Hawaii State Senate. Commissioners will serve a four-year term from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2015.

Growing the Future: Farm to School in Hawai’iProduced by a UH Manoa graduate student of urban planning, this inspiring film encourages viewers to get involved in Farm to School programs in their communities. It provides an overview of what Farm to School programs are, why they are important, and explores some of the obstacles faced in broader implementation.